Joe Root has established himself as England’s most prolific run-scorer across international formats. The right-handed batsman from Yorkshire has accumulated 59 international centuries throughout his career, comprising 40 in Test cricket and 19 in One Day Internationals.
His technique blends classical batting fundamentals with modern adaptability, making him particularly effective against both pace and spin bowling. Root’s career reached a significant milestone when he scored his first Test century on Australian soil at The Gabba in December 2025, marking his 40th Test hundred.
His consistent performances have positioned him as England’s all-time leading run-getter in both Tests and ODIs, with his ability to construct lengthy innings under challenging circumstances becoming his defining characteristic.
International Career Overview
Root’s journey in international cricket began in 2012 when he made his Test debut against India in Nagpur, scoring 73 runs in his maiden innings. His white-ball career commenced shortly after, with his T20I debut in December 2012 and ODI debut in January 2013, both against India.
Career Statistics Summary
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Centuries | Half-Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 160 | 13,704 | 51.32 | 57.54 | 40 | 66 |
| ODIs | 186 | 7,330 | 48.54 | 87.66 | 19 | 43 |
| T20Is | 32 | 893 | 35.72 | 126.31 | 0 | 5 |
Root’s Test cricket achievements are particularly noteworthy. Since 2020, he has participated in 71 Test matches, accumulating over 6,000 runs with 23 centuries and 21 half-centuries during this period. His ODI credentials are equally impressive, as he remains the only English player to surpass 7,000 runs in the format, with no other English batsman having scored more than 13 ODI centuries.
Complete List of Test Centuries
Root has compiled 40 Test centuries across his career, with India being his most frequent opponent for hundreds, having scored 13 centuries against them while accumulating 3,383 runs, the only player to exceed 3,000 Test runs against India.
| No. | Score | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 104 | New Zealand | Leeds | May 24, 2013 |
| 2 | 180 | Australia | Lord’s | July 18, 2013 |
| 3 | 200* | Sri Lanka | Lord’s | June 12, 2014 |
| 4 | 154* | India | Nottingham | July 9, 2014 |
| 5 | 149* | India | The Oval | August 15, 2014 |
| 6 | 182* | West Indies | St George’s | April 21, 2015 |
| 7 | 134 | Australia | Cardiff | July 8, 2015 |
| 8 | 130 | Australia | Nottingham | August 6, 2015 |
| 9 | 110 | South Africa | Johannesburg | January 14, 2016 |
| 10 | 254 | Pakistan | Manchester | July 22, 2016 |
| 11 | 124 | India | Rajkot | November 9, 2016 |
| 12 | 190 | South Africa | Lord’s | July 6, 2017 |
| 13 | 136 | West Indies | Birmingham | August 17, 2017 |
| 14 | 125 | India | The Oval | September 7, 2018 |
| 15 | 124 | Sri Lanka | Pallekele | November 14, 2018 |
| 16 | 122 | West Indies | Gros Islet | February 9, 2019 |
| 17 | 226 | New Zealand | Hamilton | November 29, 2019 |
| 18 | 228 | Sri Lanka | Galle | January 14, 2021 |
| 19 | 186 | Sri Lanka | Galle | January 22, 2021 |
| 20 | 218 | India | Chennai | February 5, 2021 |
| 21 | 109 | India | Nottingham | August 4, 2021 |
| 22 | 180* | India | Lord’s | August 12, 2021 |
| 23 | 121 | India | Leeds | August 25, 2021 |
| 24 | 109 | West Indies | North Sound | March 8, 2022 |
| 25 | 153 | West Indies | Bridgetown | March 16, 2022 |
| 26 | 115* | New Zealand | Lord’s | June 2, 2022 |
| 27 | 176 | New Zealand | Nottingham | June 10, 2022 |
| 28 | 142* | India | Birmingham | July 1, 2022 |
| 29 | 153* | New Zealand | Wellington | February 24, 2023 |
| 30 | 118* | Australia | Birmingham | June 16, 2023 |
| 31 | 122* | India | Ranchi | February 23, 2024 |
| 32 | 122 | West Indies | Nottingham | July 18, 2024 |
| 33 | 143 | Sri Lanka | Lord’s | August 29, 2024 |
| 34 | 103 | Sri Lanka | Lord’s | August 29, 2024 |
| 35 | 262 | Pakistan | Multan | October 7, 2024 |
| 36 | 106 | New Zealand | Wellington | December 6, 2024 |
| 37 | 104 | India | Lord’s | July 10, 2025 |
| 38 | 150 | India | Manchester | July 23, 2025 |
| 39 | 105 | India | The Oval | July 31, 2025 |
| 40 | 138* | Australia | Brisbane | December 4, 2025 |
Notable Test Records
- Most Test runs for England: 13,704 (1st for England, 2nd overall in Test history)
- Most Test centuries for England: 40 (1st for England, 4th overall in Test history)
- Most Player of the Series awards for England: 6
- Most matches as Test captain for England: 64
- Only player with 3,000+ Test runs against India
Standout Test Performances
Root’s Test career includes several exceptional innings that demonstrated his capability to dominate in various conditions:
- 262 vs Pakistan at Multan, 2024: His highest Test score, showcasing his ability to convert starts into massive totals
- 254 vs Pakistan at Manchester, 2016: A career-best performance that surpassed his previous highest score
- 228 vs Sri Lanka at Galle, 2021: A masterclass in playing spin on turning pitches
- 200* vs Sri Lanka at Lord’s, 2014: His first double century, achieved at England’s home of cricket
Complete List Of ODI Centuries
Root has accumulated 19 ODI centuries since his debut in 2013, establishing himself as England’s leading century-maker in the format.
| No. | Score | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 107 | West Indies | North Sound | 5 March 2014 |
| 2 | 113 | India | Leeds | 5 September 2014 |
| 3 | 104* | Sri Lanka | Kandy | 10 December 2014 |
| 4 | 121 | Sri Lanka | Wellington | 1 March 2015 |
| 5 | 104 | New Zealand | Edgbaston | 9 June 2015 |
| 6 | 106* | New Zealand | Trent Bridge | 17 June 2015 |
| 7 | 125 | South Africa | Centurion | 9 February 2016 |
| 8 | 109 | South Africa | Johannesburg | 12 February 2016 |
| 9 | 101 | West Indies | Johannesburg | 14 January 2016 |
| 10 | 133* | Bangladesh | The Oval | 1 June 2017 |
| 11 | 102 | New Zealand | Dunedin | 7 March 2018 |
| 12 | 113* | India | Lord’s | 14 July 2018 |
| 13 | 100* | India | Leeds | 17 July 2018 |
| 14 | 102 | West Indies | Bridgetown | 20 February 2019 |
| 15 | 107 | Pakistan | Trent Bridge | 3 June 2019 |
| 16 | 100* | West Indies | Southampton | 14 June 2019 |
| 17 | 120 | Afghanistan | Lahore | 26 February 2025 |
| 18 | 166* | West Indies | Sophia Gardens | 1 June 2025 |
| 19 | 100 | South Africa | Rose Bowl, Southampton | 7 September 2025 |
ODI Career Achievements
Root has played 186 ODI matches, scoring 7,330 runs at an average of 48.54. His consistency is reflected in his strike rate of 87.66 and his ability to anchor innings while maintaining run flow.
His recent performances in 2025, including a 166* against West Indies and a century against South Africa, demonstrate his continued relevance in the limited-overs format.
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Conclusion: Joe Root is on his way to Break Sachin’s Test Records
Joe Root’s collection of 59 international centuries reflects sustained excellence throughout his career. His 40 Test hundreds place him at the summit of English cricket history, while his 19 ODI centuries further demonstrate his versatility.
Root’s recent achievements, including his maiden Australian century at The Gabba and his dominant 537-run series against India in 2025, confirm his status among cricket’s elite batsmen and suggest his century tally will continue growing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Root’s highest score is 262 against Pakistan at Multan in October 2024. This Test innings surpassed his previous best of 254, also against Pakistan in 2016. His highest ODI score is 166* against the West Indies in June 2025.
Root’s 40 Test centuries place him among the top run-scorers of his generation. His century count is competitive with Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson. Root’s standout achievement is accumulating more Test runs against India than any other player in history.
England’s T20I strategy favors players with higher strike rates and aggressive approaches. Root’s strengths in building innings and rotating strike are better suited to longer formats, where he remains central to England’s batting plans.
Root has dominated India in Tests with 13 centuries and over 3,300 runs—more than any player in history. He has also excelled against Australia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, particularly demonstrating skill against quality spin bowling in subcontinental conditions.
Root’s effectiveness comes from exceptional weight transfer between front and back foot, enabling him to handle pace and spin equally well. His strike rotation, classical shot selection, and temperament for pressure situations make him invaluable in Test cricket’s demanding scenarios.
